Batshuayi Scores The Winning Goal As Belgium Defeats Canada: Belgium defeated Canada by a razor-thin margin of 1-0 on Wednesday night thanks to a goal from Michy Batshuayi.
Although Belgium may have had more star power on the field, Canada was well-organized and gave their more famous rivals a lot of trouble. They missed a great opportunity, though, when Thibaut Courtois turned away Alphonso Davies’ penalty.
Batshuayi Scores The Winning Goal As Belgium Defeats Canada
In their World Cup first match in Qatar, Belgium defeated Canada 1-0 thanks to a goal from Michy Batshuayi in the first half.
As a result, the Red Devils now lead Group F after the first round of games, with Croatia and Morocco level on one point after their 0-0 stalemate earlier on Wednesday.
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Due to Yannick Carrasco’s handball at a corner in the 13th minute, Canada had the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot and troubled Belgium’s sluggish backline.
Alphonso Davies stepped up to the plate, but Thibaut Courtois made the save with a low dive to his right. When Richie Laryea was brought down in the area by Axel Witsel’s challenge in the 39th minute, Canada continued to apply pressure and had a penalty call reviewed by VAR, but it was determined that there was no penalty.
Belgium took the lead against the flow of play two minutes before halftime thanks to Batshuayi. He pounced on Toby Alderweireld’s hopeful long pass and slammed his shot into the bottom corner. The second half was a scrappy affair, with Belgium eager to seize every chance to thwart Canada’s quick attack.
Despite having many shots on goal, Canada lacked decisiveness. Jonathan David’s free header in the 49th minute was their best chance to tie the score. However, it went beyond the crossbar. With ten minutes remaining in regulation, substitute Cyle Larin also had a golden opportunity to tie the score, but Courtois saved his weak header from close range.
TALKING POINT – HOW FAR CAN BELGIUM REALISTICALLY GO?
Against Canada, who had 22 shots on goal as opposed to the Red Devils’ seven, Belgium occasionally relied on luck.
The pace of Canada’s attack was difficult for veterans Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen to handle, and the final score might have been very different had Alphonso Davies successfully converted a first-half penalty.
Although Roberto Martinez’s team appeared to be a creakier unit than the one that advanced to the 2018 World Cup semifinals, Belgium did earn the three points they required, and Morocco and Croatia will both fancy their chances against them.
Player Of The Match – Richie Laryea
8 – Belgium have won each of their last 8 group matches in the World Cup, equalling the best such run in the competition made by Brazil (twice, from 1986-1994 and 2002-2010). Serious. #BELCAN pic.twitter.com/uoWZPczGP0
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 23, 2022
In the first half, the Canada wingback repeatedly took advantage of the space left between Yannick Carrasco and Jan Vertonghen, forcing Martinez to substitute the Atletico Madrid midfielder.
Midway through the second half, he made a crucial block to prevent Batshuayi from launching a goal-bound strike, as his pace and deliveries into the box occasionally overpowered Belgium.
Richie Laryea vs. Belgium:
4 key passes
100% cross accuracy
100% long ball accuracy
1 big chance created
2 ground duels won
3 recoveries
2 tackles
2 shotsReally impressive tonight ?? #NFFC | #WeCAN pic.twitter.com/TWJkuELQK9
— Callum Castel (@callumcasteln) November 23, 2022
Player Ratings
Match Highlights
11′ – COURTOIS SAVES DAVIES’ PENALTY!! The Bayern Munich man is denied by Courtois! The goalkeeper dives low to his right and bats it away! Unbelievable! It was a poor penalty by Davies. It was not aimed directly at the corner.
43′ – GOAL! BATSHUAYI FIRES BELGIUM IN FRONT! Batshuayi puts Belgium into the lead! A hopeful long ball over the top from Alderweireld finds the striker and he slots his finish into the bottom corner!
45+2′ – OVER THE BAR! Laryea’s low cross finds Buchanan at the front post but he fires his shot over the bar! That was a great chance for Canada to equalize!
49′ – WIDE FROM DAVID! Eustaquio nutmegs De Bruyne before his cross to the far post finds David, but his free header is wide of Courtois’ right post! Huge chance for Canada.
80′ – CHANCE FOR LARIN! Johnston’s cross into the box is a good one and it finds Larin.
Key Stats
1 – Thibaut Courtois is the first goalkeeper to save a penalty for Belgium at the World Cup since Opta have this data (1966). Saviour. #FIFAWorldCup #BEL pic.twitter.com/84WtH1jfRF
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) November 23, 2022
